Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Fox Attitude: More Flash, Less Substance?

Goodbye Keith Jackson, hello Thom Brennaman. Fox, which secured the rights to bowl championship series games in a four-year, $320 million deal, has made its first big move, announcing that Brennaman, pictured above, will be the lead announcer for the title game, scheduled to be played Jan. 8, 2007 in Glendale, Ariz. Jackson, 77, who said last month that he considers himself retired, is out of the mix anyway because he works for ABC, which has rights to the Rose Bowl. Nonetheless, Jackson leaves a rather large shadow and following this broadcasting legend is no easy task. Other Fox changes include a pregame show for each BCS game rather than anchoring the coverage from the title site. Fox honcho Ed Goren also wants more people stories, getting the idea after watching members of the Ohio State band stretch before they went on the field for last season's Fiesta Bowl. Said Goren: "These folks were ready to go out and compete against the band from Notre Dame. I just thought that was great. And I never saw that on television. We want find stories about the bands, the cheerleaders and the fans in the stands. You're going to see more flavor." (some registration).